Elevator.



C.D. SBEBERGER.

ELBVATOR.

APPLIGATION FILED 11017.11, 1904. BBNBWBD DBO. 24, 1907.

A1,014,856. Patented Jan.16,1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

@viager IIIEB STATES `PATENT CHARLES D. SEEBERGER, 0F NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

ELEVATOR.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 16,1912.

Continuation of application Serial No. 114,995, filed July 10, 1902. This application led November 11,

`1904:, Serial No. 232,270. Renewed December 24, 1907.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES D. BERGER, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Elevators, of which the following is a specilication, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawing.

My invention is concerned with certain new and useful improvements in elevators, such as traveling stairways, and relates especially to a device of that class in which each step has a single support or bearing surface, such as a wheel, at each end on the guideway or track.

The object of the invention is to provide new and improved means for the purpose of controlling the equilibrium of these twowheel steps to hold the tread surfaces in parallel planes upon the different ascending, descending and horizontal portions or runs of the ways or tracks.

To illustrate my invention, I annex hereto two sheets of drawings, in which the same reference characters are used to designate identical parts in all the figures in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of a circular traveling stairway extending between two floors or levels and illustrating an embodiment or application of the present invention; Fig. Q is a side elevation in longitudinal section of a series of steps connected according to my invention and shown as they appear at the lower landing or iioor and upon thej initial portion of the incline; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 and shows the positions of the parts at the upper landing or floor and upon the adjacent ascending and descending inclines; Fig. t is a top plan view at the upper landing and partly in horizontal section on the line P-4 of Fig. 8; Fig. 5 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section showing the application of the driving mechanism and of the steplocking mechanism to the steps; Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the driving and locking mechanism of Fig. 5, and Fig. 7 is a side elevation of one form of step that may be employed, the view being taken at its inner end with the inner wheel omitted.

Serial No. 407,942.

In the present illustration of an embodiment of my invention I have shown a travel-- ing lstairway of suitable design to travel in a circular path between a lower floor or platform 10 and an upper floor or platform 11, and'adapted to carry passengers or freight upon both the ascending and descending runs, the surface of the upper floor or platform being broken away in Fig. 1 for the purpose of illustrating the lower landing in full lines to show the relative locations of the two landings and also being cut back adjacent the upper landing to afford the necessary head-room for passengers ascending and descending at that point.

In carrying out my invention, I` provide tracks or ways 12 upon which the wheels 13 or other suitable supports of the steps travel in the customary manner. `Whered angles occur in the outline of the track, as between a landing and an inclined run,` I employ upthrust rails 14- for the purpose of holding the wheels down upon the tracks, and it is apparent that these rails may continue throughout the circuit of the machine and thus provide grooved or channeled tracks for the wheels, which latter form is preferred for machines embodying the present invention as the upthrust portions coperate in the adjustment of the connect-ions between the steps in the present system. The ways or tracks extend in a circular path providing an ascending and a descending run between the lower floor or platform 10 and the upper floor or platform 11, and at each platform or floor form a horizontal run so that the treads of the steps at these points extend in the same horizontal plane to form landings, as at 15 and 16, in the customary manner.

Each step consists of two end pieces 17 substantially triangular in outline and having treads 18 secured upon the bases of the triangles, with risers 19 on the front and rear sides or edges of the steps of any suitable contour. As the machine here illustrated is designed to carry passengers upon both inclines or runs it follows that for convenience the steps are provided with risers at both sides or edges. The end pieces or brackets 17 are provided with bearing studs or stub-axles 20 upon which the wheels 13 are journaled, and these stub-axles are preferably located at the center of the brackets and about the level of the bot-toms of the risers. To connect the steps together in a continuous series or chain and also to provide means for moving them, I employ rack links 21, 'which are swiveled on the axles 20 and are preferably formed of side bars 22 connected by short rods 23 which with the axles form the teeth with which a spur gear wheel 24 on a suitable driving shaft meshes. In the form shown I employ a single driving chain located at the outer ends of the steps.

In order to control the equilibrium of the steps so that their treads will always lie in parallel planes, I connect the steps through the structure of one to the structure of an adjacent step and connect the series with a suitable locking mechanism. In the construction shown each step is provided on its outer end-piece or bracket with a bearing, such as a rigid extension or arm 25, which is formed at its outer or free end with a segmental slot 26 curved on the arc of a circle of which the axis of the member 27 at the apex of the triangle of the associated end-piece or bracket 17 is the center and a proportionate length of the link 21 is the radius. A cooperating bearing or member 27, such'as a pin or a rod on either adjacent step, depending upon which way the extension is directed, passes into the slot and connects the structure of one step to the other to hold the steps in equilibrium with their-treads in parallel planes.

While I have shown the links 21 and the extensions 25 on the outer ends of the steps, I may employ them also on the inner ends in which case the inner extensions 28 are radially proportioned to the outer extensions 25 and the segmental slots 29 therein are so designed as to permit the inner ends of t-he steps to take their true radial relation when upon the inclined and when upon the horizontal runs; this arrangement is clearly shown in Fig. 7, in which case I provide the irregular or cam-like segmental slots 29 in the extensions 28 at the inner ends and the riser at the inner ends is flatter While at the outer end it is curved to a radius proport-ionate to the link length.

lVhile I may employ a single extension 25 from each step from any portion thereof, I preferably employ two, one at each end, and make them integral with the `brackets 17. Vhen a single extension is employed the coperating member 27 may be a lug or pin, but when I employ two extensions the cooperating member is preferably in the form i of a rod connecting the two brackets at opposite ends of the steps, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The extensions preferably have the recesses 30 formed in the upper surface thereof to provide clearance for the risers. j The extensions are preferably slightly offset inwardly as at 31 to bring them inside the brackets 17 of the adjacent steps whose coperating members enter their slots.

The steps are locked against tilting, so as to hold their treads in the usual horizontal plane, by any suitable mechanism and for this purpose I extend the rods 27 slightly beyond the inner brackets as clearly shown in Figs, l and 5, to cooperate with a suitable device to balance or lock the steps in position, such as the star-wheel 32. This wheel may be oppositely mounted on the shaft of the driving-wheel 2-1 and the arrangement is such that the rods 27 enter the seats 33 as shown in Fig. 5 being extended at one end for this purpose and in conjunction with the sprocket-engaging links 21 lock the connected series of steps against accidental tilting on their wheels 13. The wheel 32 is preferably driven by a sprocket chain 311 extending from a connected sprocket wheel 35 to a driving sprocket wheel 36 on the power shaft 37. The shaft 37 drives the wheel 21 through the gear 38 so that the driving mechanism provides the lock.

In the embodiment described, the steps are connected by a linkage system composed of the links 21 and auxiliary `links formed of a part of the steps. This linkage is of constant length, for while the distance between centers of adjacent steps is different on the inclines from on the horizontal runs and the point of contact of the bearings 27 with their associated slots will shift or vary, it is obvious that the length of the links remains the same or is constant. The steps are thus connected by the links 21 and also through the structure of one to the struct-ure of the others, this second connection maintaining with the locking mechanism the equilibrium of t-he steps so that their treads always lie in parallel planes and permitting the relation of the elements of the linkage to change as the relation ofthe connected steps changes upon the various inclined and horizontal runs without varying the length of the linkage and the consequent stability of the steps. For example, the treads will always lie in parallel planes by this system of linkage and when the steps move vertically in relation to each other in passing from an inclined to a horizontal run and vice versa, as in Figs. 2 and 3, the pin and slot connection provides the steps with a sliding or shifting pivotal connection to allow them to move vertically independently of each other without destroying the parallelism of the planes of their treads.

Vith the construction shown as described, it will. be apparent that I have produced an extremely simple linkage system for twowheel steps, and one which can be employed for both ascending and descending stairs, and in which the curved bearing on each step cooperates with a bearing on an adja` cent step upon both the ascending and descending runs while allowing the steps to move vertically independent of each other without aifecting the horizontal posit-ion of their treads.

In the present embodiment of my invention the risers keep contact between the steps merely to close the gaps that otherwise would exist between the treads .when the steps are on an inclined run, and do not form bearing surfaces to secure the proper positions of the steps; in the present case the steps are maintained in position without bearing upon each other at these points, thereby eliminating the friction which such organization would produce.

lhis application was filed in lieu of, and as a continuation of, my earlier co-pending application Serial Number 114,995 tiled July 10, 1902 and allowed July 8, 1904, but abandoned after the original filing of this application.

Having described my invention what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a traveling stairway7 the combination with inclined ways, of a series of steps each having a single support at each end, and connecting linkage of constant length having a bearing on each step coperating with a bearing on an adjacent step.

2. In a traveling stairway, the combination with inclined ways, of a series of steps each having a single support at each end, and connecting linkage of constant length having a curved bearing on each step cooperating with an engaging member on an adjacent step.

3. In a traveling stairway, the combina tion with inclined ways, of a series of steps each having a single support at each end, links connecting the steps, and a slotted extension on each step cooperating with an engaging member on an adjacent step.

4C. In a traveling stairway, the combination wit-h ways forming ascending and descending inclined runs, of a series of steps each having a single support at each end, links connecting the steps, and a curved bearing on` each step coperating with a bearing on an adjacent step upon both the ascending and descending runs or inclines.

In a traveling stairway, the combination with inclined ways, of a series of steps each having a single support at each end, and linkage of constant length connecting adjacent steps and comprising an extension on each step having a curved slot and a cooperating member on an adjacent step.

G. In a traveling stairway, the combination with ways forming ascending and descending inclined runs, of a series of steps each having a single support at each end, links connecting the upper portions of the steps and an extension on each step cooperating with an adjacent step on both the ascending and descending runs.

7. In a traveling stairway, the combination with ways forming ascending and descending inclined runs and intermediate landings, of a series of steps each having a single support at each end, links connecting the steps at their points of support, and a curved extension on each step cooperating with an adjacent step at the landings and on both iriclines.

8. In a traveling stairway, the combination with inclined ways, of a series of steps each having a single roller at each end, and links connecting the axles of the rollers, each step having an extension provided with a curved slot cooperating with an engaging member upon an adjacent step.

9. In ai traveling stairway, t-he combination with inclined ways, of a series of steps each having a pair of end brackets, a roller at substantially the center of each bracket, an extension on each step having a curved slot, and a bearing below one of the rollers and coperating with the extension of an adjacent step.

10. In a device of the class described, the combination with inclined ways, of carriers arranged to travel thereon, links connecting said carriers, and an extension from each carrier having a curved slot therein engaging a bearing on an adjacent carrier.

l1. In a device of the class described, the combination with inclined ways, of carriers arranged to travel thereon, rack links connecting said carriers, a driving pinion engaging said links to advance the carriers, and an extension from each carrier having a curved slot therein engaging a bearing on an adjacent carrier.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination with ways having ascending and descending inclined portions, of steps arranged to travel thereon and provided with a single support at each end, links connecting said steps, and an extension from each step having a curved slot therein engaging a bearing on an .adjacent step for the purpose described.

13. In a device of the class described, the combination with ways having ascending and descending inclined portions, of steps arranged to travel thereon and having a single roller at each side, rack links connecting said steps, a gear pinion engaging the rack links for driving the steps, and an extension from each step having a curved slot engaging a bearing on an adjacent step for the purpose described.

14. In a device of the class described, the combination with inclined ways, of steps arranged to travel thereon and having brackets at the ends thereof, the step rods' extending between said brackets, links connecting said steps, and an extension from the bracket of each step having a slot engaging the step rod of an adjacent step for the purpose described.

15. In a device ot' the class described, the combination with inclined Ways, of the steps arranged to travel thereon and consisting of the tread surface, risers, a bracket at each end, Wheels mounted on said brackets, a step rod connecting said brackets, links connecting said steps, and extensions from each step having curved slots engaging the step rod of an adjacent step for the purpose described.

16. In a device ot the class described, the combination with inclined Ways, ot' the steps arranged to travel thereon, links connecting` said stepsafbrackets forming the ends ot' said steps, and extensions from said brackets each having a curved slot therein and ott'set in order to bring it into position to engage a bearing projecting from the bracket of an adjacent step.

17. In a device of the class described, the combination With inclined Ways, of carriers adapted to travel thereon and pivot-ally connected to each other, links connecting said carriers, and means for driving the carriers.

1S. In a device of the class described, the combination with inclined Ways, of carriers adapted to travel thereon and having sliding pivotal connect-ion with each other, links connecting said carriers, and means for driving the links and advancing the carriers.

19. In a device of the class described, the combination with inclined Ways, of carriers adapted to travel thereon, and linkage connecting said carriers consisting of one set of links having fixed pivots and another setof links rigid with one of the carriers and connected to another by slotted connections.

20. In a device of the class described, the combination with inclined Ways, of carriers adapted to travel thereon, and a linkage system composed of one set of links pivoted at fixed points and another set forming part of the carriers and so designed as to permit of a change in the angular relation of the tvvo sets of links Without varying the length of either.

21. In a device of the class described, the combination with inclined Ways of carriers adapted to travel thereon, and a linkage system composed of one set of links pivoted at fixed points and another set forming part of the carriers and so designed as to permit of relative vertical movement of the carriers Without any change in the plane of their treads.

22. In a device of the class described, the combination With inclined Ways, of carriers adapted to travel thereon, linkage connections between said carriers comprising Atransverse slots in each carrier coperating With engaging members on the adjacent carrier and links connecting the carriers.

24. In a device of the class described, the

combination with inclined Ways having upthrust portions, of carriers adapted to travel thereon, and linkage connecting said carriers consisting ot one set of links having tixed pivots and another setof links rigid with one of the carriers and connected to another by slotted connections.

25. In a circular elevator, the combination With spiral Ways, of carriers each having a single support near each end, and linkage ot ixed lengths connecting the carriers throughout the cycle or circuit of travel, and a star Wheel to balance the carriers in operative position.

26. In a circular elevator, the combination with spiral Ways, of steps each having a single support near each end, a linkage system of fixed lengths connecting the steps in the entire circuit of travel and a star Wheel to balance the steps in operative position.

27. A step end or bracket of substantially triangular outline having a pin or rod at its apex and an extension having a curved slot struk on the arc of a circle of Which said pin or rod is the center.

28. A-traveling stairway comprising a series of structurally interconnected steps, veays on Which said steps travel for conveyance on ascending and descending runs in connected relation, and means to drive the steps.

29. A traveling stairway comprising a series of steps each having a single roller near each end, drive links connecting the steps, each step having an end or bracket of triangular outline provided With a bearing at its apex and an extension having a segmental slotof which the axis of said bearing is the center and the length ot said links is the radius.

30. In a device of the class described, the combination With inclined Ways having upthrust portions, of carriers adapted to travel thereon and pivotally connected to each other, links connecting said carriers, and means to drive and lock the carriers against displacement.

31. In a device of the class described, the combination with inclined Ways having upthrust portions, of carriers adapted to travel thereon and pivotally connected to each other, links connecting said carriers, means tor driving the carriers, and means for locking them against tilting.

32. In a traveling stairway, the combination with inclined Ways, of a series of steps each having a single roller at each end, and

links connecting the aXles of the rollers, each step having an extension provided with a curved slot cooperating with an engaging member upon an adjacent step, and means Y to prevent the tilting of the steps.

33. In a device of the class described, the combination with inclined ways, of steps arranged to travel thereon and having brackets at their ends, a single roller at each end of each step, links connecting t-he steps, a rod extending between the brackets ot' each step, an extension from each step having a slot engaging the rod of an adjacent step, a gear pinion engaging the rack links, a star-wheel engaging the step rods, and a power shaft to drive the pinion and starwheel.

34. In a traveling stairway, ascending and descending inclined and horizontal ways,.a series oi steps moving on the ways, connecting linkage between the steps having a curved bearing adapted to coperate with a bearing on an adjacent step on both inclines and driving means to hold the steps parallel.

85. In a traveling stairway, ascending and descending inclined and horizontal ways, a series of steps moving on the ways, a roller on each end of each step, connecting linkage having a curved bearing coperating with an adjacent step on both inclines and driving means to hold the steps parallel.

36. In a traveling stairway, ascending and descending inclined and horizontal ways, a series of steps moving on the ways each having a wheel at each end, linkage connecting said steps comprising upper and lower parts, the latter having curved bearings coperating with an adjacent step on both inclines while permitting vertical movements, and driving means to hold the steps parallel.

37. In a traveling stairway, ascending and descending inclined and horizontal ways, a series of steps moving on the ways and each provided with a single wheel at each end, connecting linkage therefor comprising upper and lower parts, the latter part on each step bearing on an adjacent step on both inclines, and driving means to hold the steps parallel.

38. In a traveling stairway, oppositely inclined and horizontal ways, steps moving on the ways and each having a wheel at each end, and linkage connecting said steps comprising upper and lower parts, the latter being provided with a sliding pivotal connection between adjacent steps on both inclines, and driving means to preserve the equilibri um of the steps on both inclines.

39. In a traveling stairway, inclined and horizontal curved ways, a series of steps moving on the ways, links connecting the steps, each step having a riser curved to a radius proportionate to the length of the links, each step having radially proportioned outer and inner extensions having curved slots, and a rod on each step engaging the slots in the next step.

40. In a traveling stairway, inclined and horizontal curved ways, a series of steps moving thereon, a roller at each end of each step, links connect-ing the steps, a curved riser on each side ot each step, two curved bearings on each step of unequal length, and a rod on each step engaging the bearings of the next step.

ll. In a traveling stairway, inclined and horizontal ways, a series of interconnected steps moving thereon, linkage connecting the steps, a drive engaging the links, and a starwheel on the drive engaging the steps to preserve their treads horizontal.

42. In a traveling stairway, oppositely curved inclined and horizontal ways, a series of connected steps moving thereon, and cooperating means including engaging devices formed by adjacent steps to preserve their treads horizontal on both inclines. 48. In a traveling stairway, inclined and horizontal ways, a series of connected steps movable on said ways, adjacent steps having coperating portions, and rotating means to preserve their treads horizontal.

4A. In a traveling stairway, inclined and horizontal ways, a series of steps, adjacent steps being operatively connected together at more than a single point, and rotating means to preserve their treads horizontal during movements of the steps on said ways.

45. In a traveling stairway, oppositely curved inclined and horizontal ways, a se ries of connected steps, and means including engaging devices formed by adjacent steps :tor preserving their treads horizontal on both inclines.

46. In a traveling stairway, inclined and horizontal ways, a series of steps, and means including engaging devices formed by the steps to preserve their treads horizontal during movements over ways of opposite inclination from the horizontal.

In testimony whereof I afliX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

i CHARLES D. SEEBERGER.

Witnesses:

W I-I. BRADY, Gr. H. A. WILLIAMS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained f0.11 five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

